Zen Meditation Series

In a discussion with students over dinner, Doron offers guidance on Zen meditation. These conversations address the many problems people face. At first, building a personal meditation practice is difficult! Each section offers ideas on finding ways to connect with meditation.

Part One

Doron addresses one student’s issues with quieting the mind. Although he tries to stop thinking, he finds his mind creating stories. With this in mind, Doron explains why it’s important to let go of such thoughts. He also offers some insight on the struggle of having a quiet mind in today’s world. Learn different techniques for creating focus, such as counting the breath. Such methods are like this are especially helpful training for quieting the mind during zen meditation.

Themes 

• • Quieting the mind
  • Letting go of stories
  • Using focus as a tool
  • Diligence in the practice

Part Two

Doron explains ways to avoid falling asleep during meditation. During meditation, it’s important to soften the mind to create genuine space and silence. Expanding on this, he explains “the art of non-labeling”. This is experiencing the world without the burden of narrative or titles. Through keeping the mind quiet both during meditation and daily activities, you’ll experience a deeper experience of the world around you.

Themes 

• • How not to fall asleep during meditation
  • Intensity in your mind
  • How to soften
  • Dropping into emptiness
  • Benefits of silence
  • “The Art of Non-Labeling”
  • Experiencing without using the mind

Part Three

Doron talks about meditation and motivation. Unlike yoga asana practice, you can’t see someone else’s experience. As a result, you must trust meditation teachers when they describe the benefits and depth of their experience. In this way, motivation to meditate must ultimately come from within.

Themes 

• • Imagining nothing
  • How do you know if people are meditating?
  • Mind being afraid of shutting down
  • Moment of being so impressed by something that we are not separate from it
  • Experience vs thought
  • Fasting from food and noise, cleansing the body and mind
  • Softening

Part Four

In the final section, Doron is asked how to find motivation to meditate when you feel stuck. While this is difficult, it’s important to let go of the idea of “getting better” at meditation. Regular meditation practice slowly makes small positive differences in our daily life. It changes the way how we think and how we see ourselves. Meditation should be practiced constantly in our everyday life, not just while sitting in a class. Instead, we can practice awareness in everything we do. While eating, walking, writing and more.

Themes 

• • Finding motivation for meditation
  • Meditation in everyday tasks
  • Transformations in your everyday life
  • Trying not to put goals, competition or pressure on your meditation
  • Trusting that you are not what your mind tells that you are
  • What is your consciousness when you stop thinking?
  • Experiencing yourself beyond the mind
  • Liberation of freeing the mind
  • Mind over matter

Share the Series

Which part of this series was your favorite?

Leave us a comment below, we love discussion! Share the series with a friend who is interested in Zen or meditation. you can start your own discussion with them too!

If you’re interested in learning more about Zen and the mind, come visit the Doron Yoga & Zen Center and make sure to check out our upcoming retreat dates.

To read more on meditation practice, have a look at the Doron Yoga Manual.